Apparatus for converting dry ice into carbon dioxide gas



June 7, 1938' w. c. MERRILL I APPARATUS FOR CONVERTING DRY ICE INTO CARBON DIOXIDE GAS Original Filed Oct. 7, 1955 Fl llllllllllll IIL [1v VENTOR /,%n ezz C Patented June 7, 1938 sr'rss APPARATUS FOR CONVERTING DRY ICE INTO CARBON moxmu GAS Warren 0. Merrill, Los Angeles, Calif.. assignor to Irving S. Baltimore, Los Angeles, Calif.

Renewed January 19, 1938 Application October 7,- 1935, SerialNo. 43,857

2 Claims. ((51. 62-915) My invention relates to 'means for converting dry ice into carbon dioxide gas and more particularly to an apparatus in which this conversion or sublimation is. accelerated after the dry ice has been put into the tank or container in which it is put in broken pieces.

It is known that when dry ice is placed in a pressure tank and sealed, that it will melt and developa pressure within the pressure tank and thus carbon dioxide gas is obtained for soda fountain purposes. It takes considerable time, however, and frequently a dispenser desires carbon dioxide gas under pressure without waiting for the natural sublimation of the dry ice.

I have conceived the idea of providing a pressure tank having means in the bottom thereof to receive small pieces of dry ice, while the larger pieces are supported upon this holding means and above the smaller pieces which have passed therethrough or down-into the lower part of the tank. By breaking some of the dry ice into small pieces I increase the surface thereof which in itself will accelerate the sublimation thereof, but by increasing the metal in the bottom of the tank which contacts said small pieces, the sublimation is still further accelerated.

In order to further explain my invention, I have shown on the accompanying sheet of draw ings, one practical embodiment thereof, which I will now describe.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a pressure tank,

partly in longitudinal section, showing my invention embodied therein; and

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view thereof taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Referring in detail to the drawing, I have shown a pressure tank of larger diameter than those usually used, which tank is designated 3, and provided at its top with an opening 4, and a cover 5 constructed to close said opening from the inside, substantially as shown, whereby the pressure developed within said tank will hold said cover closed. Suitable gasket is provided at 5' to cause perfect seal of the cover with the opening of the tank. A small chain 6 can be attached to said cover to hold it from dropping down into the tank when the pressure is low.

My invention consists in providing in the bottom of the tank space for small pieces of dry ice so they will melt more quickly and at the same time provide means for supporting the usual or lar er pieces as they are put into the tank. I

referred to.

In the showing here made, I have provided a sort of grid 1, which can be cast or made up in any suitable way and providing a lot of tubular receptacles, designated 8, 8, down into which small pieces of the dry ice can be put. This increase of metal in the bottom of the tank and which contacts with these small pieces of dry ice, greatly accelerates the sublimation thereof. The larger or usual pieces will rest upon the top of said grid 1, and the tank can be filled therewith, as desired. The usual service valve -9 is also shown.

It will be seen that very rapid sublimation of the dry ice takes place at once on account of the small pieces into which it is broken and because of the greatly increased metal surface with which these small pieces come in contact, the sublimation is speeded up very much. It is known that the metal holds'certain heat and because of this and the increased surface contact, I have found that quick sublimation can be had for quick use of a tank after it has been put into place and connected with the dispensing mechanism.

I am aware that changes can be made in my in;- vention as here shown for descriptive purposes, and that other means for receiving and holding the smaller pieces of ice below the larger pieces, for the purpose described, and I do not limit my invention to the showing made, except as I may be limited by the hereto appended claims.

I claim:

1. A tank constructed to hold pressure and having a closure therefor, and adapted to receive pieces of dry ice for conversion into carbon dioxide gas, and means provided within said tank to receive and hold a quantity of small pieces of dry ice for more rapid sublimation, said means providing increased surface for contact with said small pieces to accelerate the sublimation thereof.

2. .A converter tank for converting dry ice into carbon dioxide gas and consisting of a tank body with closure for holding high pressure and adapted to receive and hold larger pieces of dry ice for slower sublimation, and means within said tank providing a series of pockets to receive small pieces of dry ice for rapid sublimation to develop initial pressure when said tank is closed for service, said means providingincreased surface for contact with said small pieces, for the purpose 

